Marolf
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marolf is a Swiss surname which is a variant of the old Germanic given name Marculf. This surname is made of the two elements "marc" and "ulf." Marc derives from the Old High German word "marka," which means "border." The other element "ulf" is a derivative of the German word "wolf"--also meaning "wolf." Therefore, the name Marolf is generally translated as "Border Wolf" (HRC). For more information, see symbolism and history of the wolf. Even though the Marolf name itself is well-documented to at least the 15th century, there appears to be evidence going back to before Christ that ties the name to the Hebrew name Markolis, meaning "heap of stones".
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[edit] Origin and Meaning of the Marolf Surname
The surname Marolf is classified as a patronymic name (HRC), meaning it is a name derived from that of a paternal ancestor usually by the addition of one or more sounds or letters to the name to produce a derivative word or an inflectional form (Webster). The original function of patronymic names were to denote the "son of" someone, although they were later assumed to be hereditary surnames (HRC).
[edit] The Dialogue of Solomon and Marcolf
The origins of the surname Marolf are easily linked to the Marcolf surname via the tale of Solomon and Marcolf, one of the more popular pieces of prose of the Middle Ages. This story pits King Solomon of the Bible (1 Kings), son of David and Bathsheba, against the peasant Marcolf in a verbal discussion. Several versions of the tale exist in different periods throughout history and in different languages. Sometimes the dialogue between the two characters is presented as a battle of wits, ripe with parody, and other times it takes the form of an exchange of proverbs.
This story has taken many forms in many cultures. It was one of the more popular tales in the Middle Ages, hence its presence in various countries and languages. You can find versions in Latin, German, Middle English, and even Anglo-Saxon, where the Marcolf character is replaced with Saturn.
[edit] Solomon and Saturn
This Anglo-Saxon version in the ninth century, called Solomon and Saturn, is an important piece of literature for many reasons. It was the cornerstone of deciphering the meaning of ancient runes, This text also brings about the question of the connection between the Saturn and Marcolf characters, if any. It is interesting that even in this text, Saturn is mentioned as having travelled through the land of Marculf, which was between Media and the kingdom of Saul.
One scholar noted that the god Mercury was treated almost interchangeably with the god Saturn in one ancient text. Both gods were worshipped by throwing stones into a pile. The Hebrew word for a "heap of stones" is markolis. There is also mention of a Hebrew idol Markolis, who is worshipped in the same manner. This may account for the changing of the name of the trickster in the tale.
[edit] The demon Asmodeus
Searching future, the variant surnames Marcolf and Morolf show up as alias names of the Hebrew demon Asmodeus, the chief of demons. Asmodeus is a prominant demon in demonology and is even linked to one of the Seven Deadly Sins--lust. In Hebrew lore, he was infatuated with Sarah and killed seven of her husbands, as recalled in the book of Tobit. Asmodeus is said to have been incorporated into Hebrew demonology from the Persian demon Aeshma Daeva. It is interesting to note that another alias for Asmodeus is Saturn, which more strongly associates the Marolf name.
[edit] Marolf Variants
Possible progenitors of the Marolf surname: Marchelm Marcholfus Marcol Marcolf Marcolis Marcolphus Marcou Marcoul Marculf Marculphe Margolf Markle Markloff Markolf Markolfus Markolis Markulf Markulfus Marolff Marzolf Mearchealf Morolf Rolf
[edit] Symbolism and History of the Wolf
[edit] Symbolic Meanings of the Wolf
Meanings: alertness, shrewdness, cruelty, savagery which is capable of being tamed. In heraldry, the wolf was said to represent alertness and shrewdness, because a hunter could rarely catch a wolf on the prowl. The wolf is readily present in German names and generally denotes an individual who was fierce and angry (HRC)
The wolf has many symbolic connotations, both good and bad. Usually the wolf is typically seen as a voracious monster, but it is also an mystic symbol in ancient sun worship (Mammoth).
[edit] The Wolf in Various Cultures
Norse Culture: In Nordic mythology the wolf was the holy animal of the got Wuotan.
Celtic Mythology: Lok, the great destroyer, was a wolf in Celtic mythology.
Greek Culture: The Greek word for wolf, lykos, means "light." The wolf was worshipped by the Greeks in the same way as Apollo, dispenser of light. (Notice the logo for the popular Lycos website has a moon for the "O".)
Roman Culture: The wolf was one of the symbols of the Roman war god Mars. A female wolf fed Romulus and Remus.
In Central European tradition, the wolf was seen as a dangerous predator, and in the medieval world the wolf was often seen as representing Satan, who preys upon the flock of faithful Christians. Nevertheless, the wolf could be tamed and redeemed by saints such as St. Francis of Assissi, who transformed the wolf's savagery into piety.
[edit] Marolfs Throughout History
[edit] Marculf the Monk
There was a monk by the name of Marculf who compiled a collection of formulas for royal and private acts known as Formulæ Marculfi between 688 and 732. His formula describes the way letters of recommendation, written for those setting out on pilgrimages, should be composed (Piltz).
[edit] Saint Marcouf (approximately 484-558 A.D.)
Most of what we know about the Catholic missionary Saint Marcouf (also Marculf) is from the two Latics Acts of St. Marcolf, one kept at the Vatican and the other at Avranches, France. St. Marcouf is the patron saint of skin diseases and is said to have cured many kings of his time of scrofula. His resting place is a crypt at the church of St. Marcouf.
[edit] Other Citations
- Société Jersiaise Articles on St. Marcouf
- Life of St. Marcouf, from a biographical dictionary of Jersey
- St. Marcouf, from a "Theory on the Evangelisation of the Cotentin" (Normandy Peninsular)
- There is also a St. Marcouf Island named after the saint off the coast of France, which was the first place American troops landed on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Access to this island is now forbidden.
